The Chamber’s Municipal Update hosts Municipal Leaders from across the western Chester County region to share news, development and real estate opportunities and future plans for the municipalities they represent.
Rachel Cathell, Opening Remarks: “For 24 years, we’ve gathered for this event. It started off with just a handful of people at Pennsylvania American Water and look at everybody here now. Everyone here has a shared interest in bettering western Chester County. It really shows when you look across this room that this is a community that cares. We care about what development we bring here and what that growth in our downtowns and boroughs looks like. We recognize the power of unifying. That is so important to this region; intermunicipal relationships and working across lines.”
Thom Chimento, Pennsylvania American Water, Presenting Sponsor: “This event is very unique. You don’t get so many municipal officials from one area to come together and update on everything that’s happening. We are invested here. In the last five years, Pennsylvania American Water has invested over $100 million dollars into water and wastewater management just in the Coatesville area alone.”
COG, Jennifer Daywalt: “The Council of Governments is a group of municipalities that come together once a month to work on equipment sharing, grant opportunities, and multi-municipal solutions, enhance communications among local officials, generate solutions to local issues, and more. The COG also hosts Local Government courses, planning and zoning education events, FEMA training, and other important events. Join us at WCCCOG.com”
Caln Township, Don Vymazal
- Main Line Health: Planning to build a 145,000 sq foot medical complex on Lloyd and Manor Ave. Transformative for local health care. It is not a hospital but will fill a bit of the healthcare hole.
- Brandywine Hospital site: Purchased by Regal Builders.
- Zoning Update: Looking at future of townships. Number of proposals for the property; a hospital is preferred.
- Int. Bondsville & Lincoln: First Sheetz is proposed across from Wawa.
- Along Lincoln Highway: Update pedestrian safety: bike lanes, sidewalks. Alot of residents walk despite it being most vehicle traffice. Hoping to make it more of a village-style area. Working with TMACC and DBRTC. Early-mid next year
- Beaver Creek Trail: Adding additional trails. Bridge across creek, support of county and state officials.
West Brandywine, Kevin Barren, Finance Director
- 178-unit townhouse: Reserve at Cross Creek – 50% completed
- 181 single family dwellings, age restricted (55+) Traditions of America, 70% completed
- Reeceville Elementary and North Brandywine completed
- Westwynd Gardens completed and operational: Horseshoe Pike & Manor Rd
- Ducklings Daycare completed
- Townships road paving completed
- Dam Road Reconstruction: Bidding in early 2026
- 268 age restricted development called Horseshoe Run
- Storage facility being built on Horseshoe Pike
- Age restricted 168 single homes / 74 townhomes: Hibernia Rd/Manor Rd: Currently in conditional use
- Wawa Horseshoe Pike: Conditional use / anticipate built in 2026
Sadsbury Township, Tony P., Township Manager
- Sadsbury Commons: New shopping center: Chipotle, mattress store, barber shop, dentist office, Wawa, Wendy’s, Taco, Advanced Auto, Chick fil a, Sherwin Williams – all open
- Target January 2025 starting, issuing permit in Dec. Giant break ground in Feb.
- 4th traffic light on Rt 10, currently temporary. Will be permanent.
- 2 bridges coming in. Looking for a grant to replace Octorara Road bridge, waiting for state budget.
- Compass Road bridge: looking to replace
- Bypass authority: looking to revamp last October’s plan.
- Started a separate account for Sadsbury fire co.50,000 for new firetruck. Taking the initiative to set aside money so they have available funds.
East Brandyine, Luke Reven, Township Manager
- Grown population more than 5%. Biggest challenge and biggest opportunity
- 389 housing units that have received final plan approval. One – age qualified Brandywine walk, developed by Ryan Homes. Second – Stonemill Village, Toll Bros developing.
- Site work for commercial development, Carlino 65000 sq foot development that will include giant as anchor tenant. 322 coming soon sign – it is officially happening.
- Comprehensive plan and official map
- 40 miles of road, 5 public works employees,17 police department employees.
- Acquired 14.6 of east branch. Preserved land – 2,044 acres. Balancing growth and quality of life.
- Construction of new bath house for local park
- All abilities playground at south end of park
Valley Township, Janis Rambo
- New light at Washington Lane
- Final approval Valley View business park lot 8b, 99000 sq foot building. Industrial manufacturing, owned by Edlon, Inc.
- Lot 8a is available
- Airhart drive, 28564 sq foot building – industrial use and office space
- Boot road tree service, develop 82 & 340 – office building and equipment storage
- Westwood Ridge develop off Valley Road – 87 single family on 36-acre track – 13 homes complete
- South Park Avenue bridge replacement – PECO moving a gas line. Received FEMA funds for bridge repairs. Additional county funding to actually replace the bridge. CBGD.
- New recycle truck – partially funded DEP grant
- First community day in over 5 years in 2025
City of Coatesville, James Logan, City Manager
- CASD – 3 new schools, Reeceville Elementary, North Brandywine Middle, Doe Run Elementary. Updates to Scott Middle
- Spring 2026 – DCCC Trades program coming to city
- Train station: Anticipated completion Q4 next year – high level platforms, multimodal connections, elevators, expanded commuter parking.
- Launched roar repair project, repaving several streets, ADA sidewalk ramps, upgrading stormwater systems and inlets.
- Shotspotter – law enforcement can respond within minutes
- Ash Park renovation – 9.3 acres – splash pad, basketball court, horseshoe pitch, new pavilion, and expanded play areas
- Housing development, Brandywine View Apartments – 266 units
- Downtown – new restaurant Legacy’s and Steel City Brewing. More restaurants and jazz cafe coming in 2026.
Honey Brook Township, Kristy Deischer-Eddy
- Land preservation committee $9 million to spend, preserved half of the available farm, 5500 acres.
- Brandywine Conservatory – land preservation plan update
- Recreation Park Board – Fun Fridays during the summer
- Skate Park has been open for a year, received wonderfully by the community
- Rec and Park committee worked with nearby church for Harmony Day
- Twin Valley Business Park – finalizing plans – 7 more available buildings.
- Honey Ridge mobile home community – 113 new units, well underway.
- BOS short-term rental ordinance signed
- Multi-municipal comphrensive plan is 1/3 of the way through the cycle, adopting sometime in 2026
East Fallowfield, Scott Swischer, Township Manager
- In 2026, new doe run elementary will welcome students
- Newlinville, along Rt 82, is zoned commercial, a natural gateway into the township
- Recently completed Newlinville Master Plan, lays out a roadmap of revitalization
- Traffic calming along Rt 82, $250k in grant funding, beginning construction this spring including traffic calming islands and rumble strips.
- $250k to replace a failing culvert on Saw Mill Rd, project now out to bid
- Mortonville Rd Bridge collapsed – Obtained 300k in funding for environmental work for a full rebuild
- Summer Concert Series continues to grow
- At township park – pickleball courts and all-inclusive play areas
- New municipal complex – Combining township offices and police station on Wilmington Rd (10.9 acres bought)
Modena Borough, Bo/Beau Tillman, Council Vice President
- 546 people in Modena
- Replace South Brandywine bridge
- PECO putting gas lines through the Borough
- Meredith Court – 10 families were displaced during Hurricane Ida. Acquiring bids for the demolition of the court
- The Mode House – acquired a few years ago, in the process of making it the new municipal building, park area. Approximately 8–10-year project.
Honey Brook Borough, Sandy Cooper, Councilmember
- Received $490k CRP Grant for James Street Project, replace old stormwater pipes.
- Finished paving Park Street in September
- Received VPP Grant to help cover the cost of 10-year comprehensive plan update
- Fire Co. Recently award LSA Grant for new radios
- Welcoming Honey Brook Hardware to the borough at end of December